May 2011
Monthly Archive
DinnerAndSong - Getting Carried Away
Posted by admin on 05 May 2011 | Tagged as: General
Who are we to interfere with the romance?
Jeff writes about your different options for DinnerAndSong.com here. The heart and soul of the DinnerAndSong concept is to make it EASY and QUICK for everyone, and still fruitful for the traveling artist.
But it seems you have your own ideas about how you want to enjoy music.
- Robert has 50 RSVPs for his next DinnerAndSong
- Jeff invents DessertAndSong to shorten the food, and gets a “standing room only” audience.
- and one host even provides a 3-course meal
O.K. - so you’ve given the idea your own little twist. We love that. But here’s the catch…
Expectations impact the enjoyment.
If you tell your guests the show is over by 9pm, and you run way over… they may have an uncomfortable choice to make if they have post-show commitments. They might not come next time you promise them a quick and easy event.
Likewise, if the artist expects to play 35-40 minutes, but your audience is conditioned to expect 60 minutes (because of previous DNS events,) they may feel cheated if the artist sticks to the scheduled program.
It’s OK if you decide to stretch the DinnerAndSong concept - but be aware that you need to be consistent within your own program. If you tell people it’s a 35 minute show (with maybe one encore song) - then stick to it.
Here’s the trick. Of course, you should describe the event accurately in your promo emails and flyers. But beyond that, ONE PERSON, either the host or the artist, should re-iterate the plan to the audience, before the concert starts.
Hosts and Artists - memorize this:
“Hi everyone, thanks so much for sharing this DinnerAndSong with me and [host/artist]. These events are meant to be quick and easy for everyone, so we’ll be ending at [time] to make sure everyone has time to take care of their weeknight stuff. After the performance, we’ll have a 10 minutes or so to make sure you get some souvenirs and sign the guestbook. Everybody ready?”
For those of us experienced to normal house concerts, it is awkward to stop after a 35 minute show. I made up this format. And as a performer I still found it very hard to stop after 35 minutes. This IS new. But wow is it fun and fruitful.
Enjoy our new love affair… we’ll try not to spoil the romance!
CIYH - The House Concert News, May 2011
Posted by admin on 04 May 2011 | Tagged as: CIYH Newsletter
Sign up for this newsletter through RSS or by emailing us here.
We just did our first “Dinner and Song” in Iron Mountain. What fun, and what a great concept.
You rock! - Jenny Bienemann
Message from Fran:
May is House Concert Month, and this year’s theme is DinnerAndSong. Never before has it been so easy to have such a special impact on the tour of an artist, while providing a weekday boost for some of your closest friends and neighbors.
Please start here, and see which artists are looking for opportunities in your area.
Send them an email if you can help - it is such a thrill when a host reaches out. Go ahead, make someone’s day, and help us celebrate House Concert Month! Even our artists are hosting shows for friends!
Jeff: You wanted some feedback on my first DNS, Success! Lots of fun, 7 listeners, simple sandwiches, chips, salad and wine. The musician was Michael Reno Harrell He was GREAT! Touching songs and engaging stories. It was Michael’s first DNS too and he really enjoyed it. Both of us would do it again.
- Alice Schaefer
House Concert Radio?
Check out JohnnyBoyRadio.com
Why? It’s a fully licensed station that loves to play artists from ConcertsInYourHome, that’s why! Always on, always great. Thanks Johnny!
(Artists… want to get played?) JohnnyBoy Radio now featuring CIYH artists.
Fran on the road this month. (Recording in Marietta, GA / Attending SERFA Conference / House Concert in Charlotte, NC / A couple of days at the wonderful Kerrville Music Festival.)
I always use the WebFlyers, even for our first DinnerAndSong last Thursday with Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield. The DNS event went very well with 9 paying attendees and virtually everyone buying at least one CD. Roy and Kim are very nice folks and put on a very entertaining show.
Someone from our neighborhood, who I didn’t know previously, came because his wife was out of town and he was looking for dinner and something to do. He emailed me this shortly after he left our house:
“Thank you so much for introducing me to a very unusual evening’s entertainment. Your musical guests were wonderful. I never knew such things took place.”
Keep up the good work Fran. — Jim Emerson
Here’s the updated U.S. and Canada
MAPS of DNS hosts!
New CIYH Hosts: (artist members can search “member since 2011-04″ using the advanced search.)
17 New Hosts! We welcome…
Ian in AB
John in BC
Becky, Tess in FL
Alex in MA
Cindie in MD
Michael, Kathleen in TX
Hans in NETH
Zack, John in NJ
Tom in OH
Jess, Matthew in PA
Bobbe in SASK
Diana in TN
Matthew in UT
CIYH hosts can elect to do DinnerAndSong events instead of, or in addition to house concerts.
New CIYH Artists:
(Welcome Aboard!)
Bianca De Leon, Brigitte London, Grandpa Banana, Ian Ethan, Jackie Bristow, Jessi Lynn, Juliana Finch, Kurt Scobie, Mark Cote, Maura Jensen, Sarah Peacock, Steve Dan Mills
Our Audio 6-Packs (free downloads) are back! This month, download 2 tracks from each of our featured artists. Lovely music!
Look for these new artists here!
Renewed Artists:
(Signed on for another great year!) Adler & Hearne, Eric Taylor, John Zipperer / John Zipperer & Friends, Kacey Jones, Laurie McClain, Michael Gulezian
We’re now putting some additional spotlight on artists who renew for 3 years - you make us feel good and we think you’re smart.
Schwag of the Month:
Here’s the latest edition of DinnerAndSong merchandise - it’s time to get the word about with a great looking DinnerAndSong classy “pocket” logo t-shirt.
There’s also a new DinnerAndSong.com bumpersticker. Raise the curiosity of those who follow you!
Host Reward Winners!
Congratulations to Peter Chitty and Jill Padua. Each host wins a $50 gear voucher from D’Addario and Planet Waves. We’ll look at the CIYH calendars each month and randomly pick two winners from our active hosts. Login and post your events! (It takes about 90 seconds.)
Tips for Artists and Hosts:
- JohnnyBoy Radio now featuring CIYH artists.
- Managers, Agents, and DinnerAndSong
- Pitch yourself for a (dinner and) song.
- Do house concerts hurt or help public venues?
- Michael Terry of Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Passes
- Grants for Massachussetts Artists - Innovative Program
- Folk Music Day - A timely idea?
- DinnerAndSong.com introduces “quick and easy” house concerts.
- Social Tips from Mom - blocking Facebook apps… not so fast!
Our new blog, for hosts only.
- House Concert Tour Winners Hit the Road in May
- Set the tone for the concert with our opening MC comments
- Love our artists = reply to their booking inquiries
- Tackle the suggested donation opportunity eyeball to eyeball
- “DNS clubs”
- Tame your DinnerAndSong preparation
Join us in Montreat, NC for the Southeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference in May. It’s a great way for our hosts and artists to network with each other.
Please share this newsletter with people you like. — fran
Thanks to D’Addario and Planet Waves for their kind support of this community.
JohnnyBoy Radio now featuring CIYH artists.
Posted by admin on 03 May 2011 | Tagged as: General
Johnny Boy Radio is a legal Internet radio stream, fully licensed to broadcast music from Sound Exchange, BMI, ASCAP and SESAC under a joint licensing agreement.
Playing a unique variety of Americana, Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter & Acoustic Blues. 24/7 Always Commercial Free!
Give it a listen! Some of our hosts already are…
http://www.johnnyboyradio.com
Johnny Boy Radio now featuring 30+ CIYH artists and looking for more.
To be considered for airplay, please send a link to your CIYH profile, with permission to play your music, like this:
Dear Johnny,
I authorize my music to be played on JohnnyBoy Radio.
http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/artist/fransnyder.html
UPDATE: 5/12/11
You can record bumper/intros and send them as mp3s to Johnny as well. Here’s the format:
“Hi, this is [artist name] from ConcertsInYourHome.com, and you’re listening to JohnnyBoyRadio.”
Don’t try to introduce your own song… these intros will load randomly.
